Does diabetes affect car insurance?

If you have diabetes, you may be wondering whether your medical condition will impact your insurance premium. To learn more about the specific medical standards required by the Ministry of Transportation and information about car insurance, stick around.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a type of chronic, progressive medical condition that impacts your blood glucose level. People with diabetes can be diagnosed with either of the following types:

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin due to the body's immune system attacking the cells in charge of insulin production. Insulin is responsible for helping glucose travel from your blood to your cells, which is then used as energy. Without it, the glucose remains in the blood. As the body is attacking itself, type 1 diabetes is diagnosed as an autoimmune disease.

Currently, there is no cure for type 1 diabetes. That said, it can be managed by maintaining your blood glucose level through insulin therapy and other treatment options.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes typically occurs when a person has a high body fat percentage that's caused by an unhealthy diet. However, genetics or other conditions can also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can also be managed with diet, exercise and other life changes. Doctors may also prescribe medication to treat and support those with this type of medical condition.

Common symptoms of diabetes

There are numerous symptoms of diabetes, and those with diabetes are at an increased risk of experiencing a hypoglycemic episode that can lead to several health complications, including the following:

Low blood glucose levels

Hypoglycemia occurs when a person has severely low blood glucose levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Difficulty concentrating

Whether you're driving, at work, or relaxing at home, those experiencing hypoglycemia will begin to lose the ability to focus on a single task.

Irregular heartbeat

Hypoglycemia can also cause an increase or irregular heart rate, which may lead to excessive sweating after some time.

Fatigue

Because your blood glucose level is low from your diabetes, you may experience severe fatigue, which is especially dangerous when driving.

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Dizziness or lightheadedness is also a common symptom of hypoglycemia, given the lack of glucose in the body.

Blurred vision

You may also experience blurred vision while driving or when performing other tasks.

Loss of coordination

With blurred vision, you'll begin to lose the ability to move and experience a loss of coordination altogether.

Slurred speech

Lastly, those with hypoglycemia will also experience slurred speech and the ability to communicate correctly.

If you are a person with diabetes and believe you are experiencing a hypoglycemic episode, you must go to the hospital and seek immediate medical support from qualified doctors.

How Diabetes Can Impact Driving Ability

Having diabetes can impact your driving ability in several ways, including:

• Hypoglycemia unawareness: Having a low blood glucose level can cause dizziness, confusion, and other vision problems, making it dangerous for you to operate a vehicle. In severe cases, it can also lead to unconsciousness, putting you at an increased risk of causing a collision.
• Hyperglycemia: Having high blood glucose levels can result in fatigue, headaches, and blurred vision, all of which can lead to slower reaction times.
• Diabetic neuropathy: Diabetic neuropathy is a medical condition that causes numbness or tingling in the feet. This can make it difficult to feel the acceleration and brake pedals in your vehicle.
• Unexpected medical emergencies: Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious and unexpected medical emergencies while driving, which poses a risk to you and others on the road.

Ultimately, driving safely with diabetes requires consistent glucose level monitoring before getting behind the wheel, taking prescribed medications and following the directions of your doctor, and carrying emergency glucose in case of an emergency.

Can people with diabetes have a driver's licence?

In Canada, all drivers must meet minimum medical standards that are regulated by the Ministry of Transportation. These standards are essential for determining a driver's medical fitness to operate a motor vehicle at all times.

As we mentioned, diabetes can put you at risk of experiencing hypoglycemia, leading to vision loss, slurred speech, loss of coordination, loss of concentration, and other severe symptoms that can impact your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle while driving. When applying for a driver's licence, you'll be required to provide medical information to the ministry about any medical conditions, including your diabetes diagnosis, symptoms, when your last episode of hypoglycemia was, and the treatment you're receiving.

Based on these circumstances and whether you've been cleared by doctors for your medical fitness, you will be able to obtain and maintain a driver's licence. Note that drivers being treated for medical conditions are responsible for maintaining their condition on an ongoing basis. Should changes to your diabetes occur, you may have your licence suspended.

How different provinces handle diabetes and driver’s licenses

Each province in Canada has specific rules for drivers with diabetes as traffic laws are governed at the provincial level:

• Ontario and British Columbia: Both provinces require yearly medical exams to address driving fitness for those who are insulin-dependent.
• Alberta and Manitoba: These provinces may restrict licenses for drivers with diabetes. Regular monitoring and medical reporting is required.
• Quebec: For those in Quebec, seizure free periods are strict, especially for drivers who have severe hypoglycemia to ensure they are stable before their driver's license is reinstated.
• Atlantic Canada: In Atlantic provinces, the rules can vary. But, drivers need medical clearance before they can drive.

Safe Driving Tips for People with Diabetes

If you have diabetes, driving safely and taking precautions while driving is essential. Here's what you can do:

• Monitor your blood sugar: Before getting behind the wheel, make sure to test your blood glucose levels and confirm they are stable. High or low levels can impair your judgement and reaction times.
• Keep snacks in the car: In case of an emergency, keep glucose tablets, juice, or other snacks in the car you can quickly ingest if you suddenly experience a drop in your glucose levels.
• Wear a medical alert bracelet: These bracelets identify that you have diabetes, which can be incredibly helpful if you find yourself in an emergency or collision.
• Take breaks when driving: If you're travelling long distances, taking regular breaks to rest and manage your glucose levels can help prevent fatigue. This will help you remain more alert, reducing your risk of a medical emergency while behind the wheel.

Do car insurance companies factor in medical conditions when calculating insurance premiums?

No, while insurance companies consider numerous factors to determine your vehicle premium, they are not legally allowed to deny you insurance based on your health status. They are also not allowed to use your health as a determining factor when calculating insurance costs.

Do I need to tell my insurance company about my diabetes?

Yes, you will need to inform your insurance provider that you have diabetes. It's best to be honest about your diabetes with your provider, as being dishonest could lead to your claim being denied at a later date should you get into a collision.

Protect your vehicle with high-quality car insurance

To legally operate a motor vehicle on Canadian roadways, all motorists must have valid insurance coverage. While the types of auto insurance and minimum requirements will vary by province, here's a closer look at the policies you'll need and may want to consider:

Mandatory car insurance (varies by province)

Below are the mandatory car insurance policies that you may require depending on the province:

Third-party liability insurance

Third-party liability insurance protects drivers if they've been in a collision that causes property damage or bodily injury to a third party. Should a lawsuit be filed against you for damages, this policy will cover the cost of medical bills, legal fees, repairs, and other associated expenses.

In most provinces, the minimum coverage requirements for this policy are $200,000. But, most of the time, drivers opt for higher minimums to ensure they're sufficiently protected.

Uninsured automobile insurance

Uninsured automobile insurance protects policyholders if they are involved in a collision with another at-fault driver who is either uninsured or underinsured. This policy will also cover you if you are involved in a collision with a hit-and-run driver.

Accident benefits coverage

Accident benefits coverage provides compensation to you, your passengers, or pedestrians who are injured in a collision, regardless of who is at fault. Accident benefits coverage will cover the cost of medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and more to help you during your recovery. This policy is mandatory in all provinces except Newfoundland.

Direct compensation - property damage

Direct compensation - property damage is the last type of auto insurance policy available to Canadians living in Alberta and New Brunswick. This coverage protects drivers who have been engaged in a crash with an at-fault driver. If your vehicle has been damaged, you will be able to deal directly with your own insurance company as opposed to dealing with the other driver's provider.

Optional car insurance

Below are the optional car insurance policies that you may require depending on the province:

Collision car coverage

Collision car coverage is a type of optional insurance policy most drivers in Canada opt to purchase. The purpose of this insurance policy is to cover the cost of vehicle repairs you may require following a collision if you are found at fault. Should you need to file a claim under this policy, note that you will need to pay a deductible, which is a set amount, to your insurance provider before your policy will kick in and cover the rest.

Comprehensive car coverage

Comprehensive car coverage is another optional insurance policy popular among Canadian drivers. This policy will cover the cost of vehicle repairs if your car is damaged due to a non-collision event. While covered perils will vary between companies, most of the time, theft, vandalism, fire, severe wind, and falling objects are automatically included.

Similar to collision, if you need to file a claim under this policy, you will need to pay a deductible to your provider before your insurance will cover the rest of the costs.

Accident forgiveness insurance

One final type of optional car insurance coverage popular among drivers is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.

Note: coverage varies by province.

Is commercial driving possible if you have diabetes?

Yes, commercial drivers can have and be treated for diabetes while working, as long as they've been cleared medically. Note that commercial drivers are held to stringent standards as they operate motor vehicles on public roads more frequently than others. For a full list of standards and medical conditions, refer to the Ministry of Transportation website for more information.

Can Diabetes Affect Car Insurance Claims?

Yes, diabetes can affect car insurance claims, particularly if an accident happens due to unmanaged sugar levels. If you do not report to the ministry of transportation that you have diabetes, your insurance company may invalidate your coverage, forcing you to pay for damages out of your own pocket. Ensuring that you're transparent with your provider, take active steps to manage your diabetes, and meeting regularly with your doctor can show your insurer that you are taking steps to mitigate your risk as a driver.

Get affordable insurance coverage with BrokerLink

With access to numerous policies from some of Canada's top car insurance companies, our brokers can help customize your insurance based on your needs and budget.

To work with BrokerLink, visit us at one of our many locations across Canada. If we're not in your neighbourhood, you can still contact us over the phone or by email. For now, take advantage of our online quote tool for a free customized car insurance quote that is available within minutes!

Get an auto insurance quote [phone]